University Honors Faculty, Staff for Advising, Teaching, Outreach

University Honors Faculty, Staff for Advising, Teaching, Outreach

The University of Toledo recently recognized its outstanding advisors and teachers and announced the recipients of the Edith Rathbun Award for Outreach and Engagement for the 2025-26 academic year, as well as both the Student Employee and Student Employment Supervisor of the Year.

"We are honored to celebrate the achievements and acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made by members of our University community," said Dr. Mitchell S. McKinney, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "Professionalism, commitment to best practices and high standards of excellence are at the heart of these awards."

Recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Award:

Kathy Fisher, Distinguished University Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Celebrated as an educator whose dedication and care set her apart, students shared that Fisher consistently shows compassion and support. Nominators noted she creates clear worksheets, prepares detailed review sheets and provides challenging practice problems that strengthen understanding. Her goal is always to help students learn, fostering a supportive environment where she provides multiple opportunities to boost grades and ensures students have every opportunity to succeed.

Dr. David Krantz, an associate professor of geology in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Krantz is an educator whose compassion and dedication leave a lasting impact on his students, both inside and outside the classroom. Students shared that he makes complex material accessible and easy to understand, while consistently staying after class to assist with resume questions and general academic guidance. Beyond academics, nominators noted his mentorship as an advisor for the Student Green Fund, where he provides supportive and educational guidance that extends far beyond coursework.

Nicole Spiros Tuori, J.D., a lecturer of legal and paralegal studies program in the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education. Tuori creates a structured, welcoming environment that motivates students to learn and succeed, nominators said. Her engaging lecturing style and organized resources - including quizzes with feedback and clear study guides - ensure everyone is confident in their understanding of the material. Students consistently describe her as a transformative educator with a huge heart, noting her remarkable empathy, accessibility and willingness to do whatever it takes to help them thrive.

Katie Rosales, a senior lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education in the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education. Rosales is an extraordinary educator whose passion, dedication and heart leave a lasting impact on her students. Nominators highlighted her immersive teaching philosophy in American Sign Language, fostering a deep respect for Deaf culture while challenging and supporting her classes. She is known for investing personally in her students, remembering small details about their lives and adapting lessons to their unique interests, which has inspired many to pursue careers in ASL interpretation.

Alex Spivak, undergraduate program director and an associate lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering. Spivak ensures all his students are on track to succeed through his compassionate and thoughtful approach, students shared. He creates a supportive learning environment by actively listening to feedback, offering flexible recitation schedules and providing extensive review sessions. Nominators noted he makes complex engineering concepts accessible through humor, memorable analogies and real-world examples, while his mentorship builds confidence and resilience that inspire students' future career ambitions.

Evan Zoldan, John W. Stoepler Professor of Law and Values and director of the Legal Institute of the Great Lakes in the College of Law. Zoldan's intelligence, dedication and care have transformed the law school experience for countless students, nominators wrote. His thoughtful preparation and exceptional clarity provide students with essential skills to read cases, take effective notes and think critically about legal logic. Colleagues and students alike praised his ability to foster a stable, respectful environment, noting that his mentorship and high standards not only shape capable law students but inspire them to become thoughtful, ethical lawyers.

Recipients of the Edith Rathbun Award for Outreach and Engagement:

Dr. George Choueiri, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering in the College of Engineering. Choueiri's work exemplifies the very best of community-engaged scholarship, having developed a coordinated model that connects K-12 students, public safety partners and industry leaders into a structured educational pipeline. Nominators highlighted his leadership in initiatives like the Toledo EXCEL Summer Institute and the NSF-funded Rubik's Cube Automation Challenge, which provide authentic STEM exposure and workforce-aligned training. His collaborative efforts advance student learning and strengthen workforce capacity across northwest Ohio.

Dr. Brandon Wood, an associate professor in the Department of Human Services in the College of Health and Human Services. Wood focuses on building coordinated, evidence-informed systems of school-based behavioral health across northwest and Appalachian Ohio, colleagues wrote. Through his leadership as chair of the Toledo Public Schools Comprehensive Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, he has led cross-sector collaborations to create sustainable support systems for students. Nominators noted that his partnerships have expanded access to universal mental health screening for more than 12,000 students while creating paid externship opportunities for UToledo students.

Recipients of the Outstanding Advisor Award:

Dr. Brent Altenhof, an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Altenhof exemplifies outstanding interpersonal skills, compassionate leadership and an unwavering commitment to student success. Students highlighted his exceptional accessibility, noting that he often takes the initiative to check in and truly cares about those he works alongside. His motivating mentorship, honest guidance during high-stress moments and unmatched knowledge of the residency process make him an invaluable resource who ensures his students feel heard and capable.

Devan Church, academic advisor I in the Academic Advising Center. Church is deeply committed to student success and provides approachable, student-centered guidance, nominators said. He excels at empowering students to take ownership of their academic journeys by listening to their goals and helping them create achievable, personalized plans of action. Colleagues and students noted his extensive knowledge of university policies and resources, praising his genuine care and dedication to keeping their best interests in mind.

Distinguished University Professors:

Dr. Peter Andreana, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Andreana is an internationally recognized scholar and a leader in carbohydrate-based vaccine design for infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapies. With more than 3,100 career citations and a prestigious Wolfrom Award from the American Chemical Society, his research holds real promise for addressing pressing medical challenges. Nominators noted his vital leadership role in the scientific community, showcasing his excellence in scholarship and innovation.

Dr. Rupali Chandar, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Chandar is a distinguished scholar and leader who has built a world-class research program studying star clusters and star formation using cutting-edge observations from major space telescopes. Her extraordinary scholarly impact places her in the top 10 percent of all astronomers, colleagues wrote. Additionally, her exceptional commitment to mentorship has guided numerous postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates toward successful academic careers.

Dr. Stanislaw Stepkowski, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Stepkowski is a globally recognized leader in immunology whose research has transformed the understanding of transplantation science, playing a critical role in advancing strategies to minimize transplant rejection. Nominators highlighted his deep impact, noting his extensive publications, patents and more than $30 million in research funding. He is also a dedicated mentor who has trained more than 30 Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows for illustrious careers in medicine and academia.

Distinguished University Professors, from left, Dr. Peter Andreana, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Dr. Rupali Chandar, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Dr. Stanislaw Stepkowski, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Distinguished University Lecturer:

Dr. Kristen Geaman, a senior lecturer in the Department of History in the Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education. Geaman is an exceptional educator and scholar known for her supportive, engaging classroom environment and belief that history is an active process of inquiry. Students shared that her primary source activities foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of historiography. Beyond the classroom, nominators noted her respected scholarship in medieval European history and her meaningful contributions to curriculum development.

Student Employment Supervisor of the Year:

Jeff Gajdostik, manager of grounds maintenance. Gajdostik has transformed routine grounds work into a meaningful learning experience through his deep commitment to mentorship, nominators shared. Leading by example, he takes the time to explain the purpose behind tasks, connecting students' academic experiences to real-world skills. Students praised his clear communication, supportive presence and ability to foster confidence and pride by viewing them as the next generation of professionals.

Student Employee of the Year:

Emma Swanbeck, in the Office of the Division of Student Affairs. Swanbeck has transformed the Division of Student Affairs over the past three years through her reliability, organization and forward-thinking mindset. Nominators noted she strategically applies technology to solve problems, modernize recruitment and close communication gaps. Her drive to improve systems and her proactive, innovative ideas have created sustainable changes that will benefit students long after her time in the role.